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UPSC Essentials | Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 23) | UPSC Current Affairs News

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1 year ago

November 1, 2023

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UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. Mains Answer Writing covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today’s answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-2 to check your progress.

Discuss the advantages and drawbacks of having simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

QUESTION 2

India-South Korea relations have made great strides in recent years and have become truly multidimensional. Discuss in the context of recent developments.

General points on the structure of the answers

Introduction

— The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction.

— It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts.

Body

— It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content.

— The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points.

— Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse.

— Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer.

— Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required.

Way forward/ Conclusion

— The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction.

— You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers.

Self Evaluation

— It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers.

THOUGHT PROCESS

You may enrich your answers by some of the following points

QUESTION 1: Discuss the advantages and drawbacks of having simultaneous elections for both the Lok Sabha and State Assemblies.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

— The government has constituted a committee headed by former president of India Ram Nath Kovind to explore the possibility of “one nation, one election”.

Advantages

— Reducing the cost of holding elections.

— Smooth operation of the government machinery.

— It will ensure continuity in central and state government policies and programmes.

— If elections are not held annually, the government does not need to entice the public with lucrative schemes or create caste and religion-based programmes.

Drawbacks

— There would also be logistical issues, requiring about twice as many electronic voting machines and Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail machines.

— The simultaneous polls would benefit the nationally dominant party at the cost of regional players.

— There is a chance that regional parties will be unable to effectively raise local issues.

— If elections are held in a single time frame, the results will be announced much later.

Previous Efforts

— The idea of simultaneous elections, or “One Nation, One Election”, was first formally proposed by the Election Commission of India in its 1983 report.

— The commission suggested that conducting simultaneous Lok Sabha (parliamentary) and state legislative assembly elections could reduce the frequency and associated costs of elections.

— The Law Commission of India also examined the issue and submitted several reports suggesting measures to synchronise the terms of the state legislatures with those of the Lok Sabha.

— In 2017, the Niti Aayog released a paper titled ‘Election Time Table’, discussing the feasibility of simultaneous elections. It suggested a practical roadmap for implementing the concept.

Conclusion:

— Over the years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has pushed for the idea of simultaneous Lok Sabha and state assembly polls.

— Assembly polls are due in five states in November-December of 2023 and they will be followed by the Lok Sabha elections in May-June next year. However, the recent moves by the government have thrown open the possibility of advancing the general elections and some state polls, which are scheduled after and with the Lok Sabha contest.

— From the first elections in 1952 until 1967, elections were held simultaneously across the country. But since the Lok Sabha and Assemblies can be dissolved before their tenures end, over time the state and national elections became misaligned.

(Source: Govt forms committee on simultaneous elections: What is the idea, and the arguments around it?, Simultaneous polls past and present: What the numbers tell us by Anjishnu Das, One Nation, One Election: A blow to federalism, a challenge to implement by K C Tyagi)

Points to Ponder

Has the idea of simultaneous polls been explored before?

What are the arguments around holding simultaneous elections?

Related Previous Year Questions

Discuss the role of the Election Commission of India in the light of the evolution of the Model Code of Conduct. (2022)

In the light of recent controversy regarding the use of Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), what are the challenges before the Election Commission of India to ensure the trustworthiness of elections in India? (2018)

QUESTION 2: India-South Korea relations have made great strides in recent years and have become truly multidimensional. Discuss in the context of recent developments.

Introduction:

— The relations between India and South Korea are spurred by a significant convergence of interests, mutual goodwill and high level exchanges.

— After Korea’s independence in 1945, India played an important and positive role in Korean affairs. Mr K P S Menon of India was the Chairman of the nine-member UN Commission established in 1947 to hold elections in Korea. Bilateral consular relations were established in 1962 and elevated to Ambassador level in 1973.

Body:

You may incorporate some of the following points in the body of your answer:

Recent Developments

— India and South Korea made “substantive progress” in the special strategic partnership between the two countries during the two day visit of South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin.

— South Korea is willing to share technology on submarines and missile systems with India to strengthen defence cooperation.

— Both leaders from India and South Korea agreed to strengthen defence cooperation, referring to K9 Vajra, a 52-calibre tracked self-propelled howitzer designed by a South Korean company.

— South Korea will provide USD 4 billion to India as a line of credit over the next three years for “high-value” projects.

— Every year, the Government of India awards scholarships and fellowships to Korean nationals for a variety of programmes and disciplines, including research and non-formal education.

— Direct flights operated by Air India and Korean Air have established good air connectivity between the two countries.

Conclusion:

— “The upcoming meeting is the first one between the two ministers as they mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and India this year.”

— India, Japan and South Korea share a global vision of peace, stability and shared prosperity, based on sustainable development, shared democratic values and commitment to human rights, pluralism, open society, and the rule of law.

— India’s role in the Indo-Pacific and the consolidation of the QUAD make New Delhi a formidable force.

(Source: After Ukraine, need for an India, Japan and Korea alliance, South Korean FM Park Jin’s two-day India visit starts today; to meet External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, South Korea committed to boosting defence ties with India, says envoy, http://www.mea.gov.in)

Points to Ponder

What is K9 Vajra?

AUKUS, QUAD and the US-Japan-South Korea trilateral in the Indo-Pacific region

Challenges faced by South Korea

Related Previous Year Questions

‘India is an age-old friend of Sri Lanka.’ Discuss India’s role in the recent crisis in Sri Lanka in the light of the preceding statement. (2022)

How will I2U2 (India, Israel, UAE and USA) grouping transform India’s position in global politics? (2022)